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Swatch Out! It’s Matthew Langille

Thank goodness! A New Jersey native who puts Snooki to shame (if she hasn’t achieved this on her own yet..) and lays “The Situation” to rest. He’s not orange and I’m almost positive his hair isn’t styled to resemble Sonic the Hedgehog…

Who is this god sent, you ask?

Why he is none other than Matthew Langille, an amazing graphic artist and designer whose work you most likely already know, own and love! Langille’s comical, yet simplistic artistic style is leading him in a direction that, though he may not have originally set out for, is definitely leading him toward some pretty amazing places! In fact, you’ll learn from Matthew himself, how his eye for style (or the ladies) steered him toward the path he’s on today!

Having already designed for several fashion houses & design firms, featured in numerous publications, working globally and owning designs adored by A-listers, you may wonder how someone can build such notoriety and achieve great success. Well this artist has the answer…and I think that you will come to find that a lot of Langille’s success has to do with being comfortable & having confidence in his own talent and personal style.

Tell me all about you! I was born and raised in New Jersey. Growing up, my mother was an amazing art teacher and today is a recognized fiber artist, well received all over the country. My grandfather, Harold Krisel was an brilliant architect and abstract painter. His work can be found in museums across the country, including the MoMa, The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Chicago Institute, to name a few. Finally, my brother, Jesse Langille, is a wonderful painter, living in Brooklyn. As you can see, I grew up in a very artistic family, always around art and have been able to see some of the most amazing museums around the world.

At age 11, I began glassblowing and continued with this medium until my early college years – the whole time not drawing too much. I was a sophomore in college when I noticed that all of the cute girls were in the printmaking and design department. So, I swiftly changed gears and began studying these mediums…where all the cute girls were! haha (Right Matthew, I’m sure you got a lot of “studying” done )

I also love to watch movies, listen to my vinyl records, enjoy a beer or glass of wine and eating well. And of course, create artwork.

Jock Jams Vol. 97 album cover?

Smart woman, your wife

Especially downtown, during rush hour

...Maybe it's the glasses?

Have you always wanted to work in fashion, or did you just sort of find yourself in it? I really had no intentions of working in the fashion industry - I kind of stumbled into it! I did drawings for magazines and some amazing fashion designers, such as Marc by Marc Jacobs and the amazing Norma Kamali. Quickly, it all sort of snowballed from there. It’s been a nice surprise and I do love my work so much!

A lot of your work is unlike that I’ve ever seen! Where do you draw inspiration from? Thanks! I get inspiration from everyday things – people, animals, art, music, etc. Most of all though, I think a large aspect of my work has to do with how early I embraced the fact that my drawing technique wasn’t perfect and that it was unlike all of the other “typical illustration work” out there. I think embracing my style was what has made me successful today.

Who/what brands have you worked for? Any favorites? I have worked for over 75 fashion, design and magazine companies across the globe. Some of these include: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Little Marc Jacobs, Swatch, Adidas, Havaianas and SIGG. You can see them all on my website and these brands are found just about everywhere. (Pardon the interuption…Matthew, feel free to send any and all Marc Jacobs to my home address)

Langille signing autographs in NYC

Matthew's John Hancock

“I use Sharpies like a painter uses a brush.”

What is your creation & design process like? I start with a huge stack of computer paper and I draw with pens and Sharpie markers. Using these tool doesn’t allow me to erase, so I feel I get a much more unique and gestural line. I go through A LOT of Sharpies and A LOT of paper (which is all recycled of course : ) haha). Then I scan the work into the computer, color the designs in and clean them up if need be.

Favorite Sharpie? I go for the original, Fine Point Sharpie… and if I stray from that I’ll either go smaller or larger… but really, most often just the normal Sharpie does good by me. I use Sharpies like a painter uses a brush. I wouldn’t have any lines if I didn’t have Sharpie markers. I’ve tried other markers out there, so I’m not kissing up….haha….but nothing works for me the way Sharpie does.

So, I’ve spotted several celebrities in your designs! Who is the one celeb you want to be seen in a “Matthew Langille original”? Well there are many of course…. All of them! haha. Jay Z would be a trip! I think he’d rock one of my designs well. On the other end of the spectrum, I’d love to see some of my Hollywood crushes wearing my stuff too. Like Drew Barrymore, Anne Hathaway, and Natalie Portman, to name only a few haha!

Paris Hilton in a Matthew Langille Print Dress for Amanda Uprichard

Proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment to date was designing 3 Swatch watches for the CreArt Artist collection, released July ‘09. I was humbled to be chosen to do work for Swatch’s artist collection. A few others who have created designs for the Swatch artist collections include: Keith Haring, Vivienne Westwood, Helmut Newton, Annie Leibovitz, Spike Lee, Yoko Ono, Kiki Picasso, Christian Lacroix, and many many other amazing artists. It was an honor and still is, to be in such great company.

Are you currently working on anything that you can tell us about?! Sure! I have recently released three wall decals for Surface Graphics and I am designing a collection of women’s and men’s jeans for Reco Jeans, a denim line that is eco-conscious and uses recycled denim. I also have created two designs for wallets for JFold which will be out soon. So stay tuned to my website and blog!

Maxim Magazine, Mexico

Numero Tokyo Magazine

Do you have any advice for other young artists? Of course… Follow your instincts with your art.Don’t change to be like someone else.Network, network, network…..No one says that people are going to come to you and become interested in your work. So I suggest that young artists need to market themselves and never take no for an answer.

What do you hope for in 2010? I hope for moregreatprojects and fun collaborations to come my way. And of course health and happiness.

Matthew Langille, ladies and gentlemen!

Isn’t he great!? Langille is all over the place these days, not only can you wear his designs and buy them just about everywhere, he is also right at your fingers tips! Check out his sites and chat with him directly!

hey there i am so glad to find out that there is a site out there that sponsors sharpie artwork …….i have a great deal pieces that i have done mostly on clothes though but it is all really nice ….plus it is more abstract than ppl think since the use of an eraser is out then you have to warp your picture through your eye and basically see what non one can see and put it there ….i look forward to posting osme of my work for others to critique